Jordan v Zach Davies, Lineup & Notes

Game: The match starts at 1:35 and will be on AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network (out-of-market) & 93.7 The Fan. It's Kid's Day, and they'll get a voucher for a cup of ice cream in the park. Could be some passing t-storms during the afternoon, so what else is new?

Lineup: Kevin Newman SS, Bryan Reynolds LF, Starling Marte CF, Josh Bell 1B, Melky Cabrera RF, Colin Moran 3B, Jake Stallings C, Adam Frazier 2B, Jordan Lyles P. Not bad for a Sunday lineup; just Gregory off against a tough lefty and Eli after an extra inning game.

Jordan tests the leg today - Photo Pittsburgh Pirates

Pitchers: RHP Jordan Lyles (5-2/3.09) toes the rubber against LHP Zach Davies (5-0/2.19). Jordan gave us all a scare when he pulled up lame during his last outing, but survived the following bullpen and says he's ready to go today. His last couple of visits to the hill have been rough, so we'll see what he's got today. Jordan only tossed one scoreless frame against the Crew last year; overall, he's 3-3/3.62 in 12 games (seven starts) v Milwaukee. The Bucs were going to miss the Brewer ace this set, but Gio Gonzalez, who was originally slated for today's outing, landed on the IL with dead arm and bumped Zach up. This will be Davies' 12th start; he's given up more than two earned runs once in that span. The good news is that he was 0-2/4.00 in two starts against the Pirates in 2018, so maybe the Bucs can keep that trend going.

Notes:

• The Braves come to town for a three-game set on Tuesday; tomorrow is an off day. Actually, there is some business - it's draft day one, with the Bucs picking at #18, #37, #57 and #72.
• Atlanta been treading water the past couple of weeks; they're 6-6 in the past 12 games.
• Tuck is showing signs of getting comfortable at the plate; he's 5-for-7 over the past three days, tho still under the Mendoza line at .190.
• Indy's hot-hitting 1B Will Craig (.274 BA, 15 HR) was in the OF last night; they're trying to figure a way to eventually work him in behind Josh Bell.

6/2 Draft Picks: Jeff King, Paul Maholm, Gorzo, Dewey, Stan Belinda & Joe Beimel

• 1986 - The Pirates selected University of Arkansas's Jeff King‚ The Sporting News college player of the year‚ as the first overall pick in the June draft, giving him an $185K bonus. He spent eight of his 11 big league years as a Pirate, hitting .258 with 99 HR (Matt Williams and Bo Jackson were taken after him). The Bucs selected other MLB talent in OF Tom Goodwin (.268 over 14 years), SS Mike Mordecai (.244 over 12 years) and pitchers Stan Belinda (who spent his first four plus seasons as a Pirate) & Rick Reed, who started as a Pirate but blossomed as a Met and Twin. 

• 1987 - HS outfielder Mark Merchant was the Bucs top pick and second overall in the draft, right after Ken Griffey Jr. The Pirates signed him for $165,000, he but never played an inning in the majors after a ten year minor league career. He was a highly touted player (he and Griffey were everyone’s 1-2 selections) but separated his shoulder during his second minor-league season and broke his ankle in the next, losing both his gun and his speed. Pittsburgh’s seventh round pick, Kittanning SS Mickey Morandini, spent 11 years in MLB, mostly with Philadelphia where he was an All-Star in 1995, and OF Wes Chamberlain and SS Brian Williams also spent a few years in the majors. The Pirates actually had a worse record than the Mariners did in 1986, but the AL and NL alternated the top pick between leagues during the era and so the Pirates lost their chance to land the Donora-born Griffey to Seattle. 
• 1994 - High school QB & SS Mark Farris was the Pirates first selection (#11; $820K signing bonus); he hurt his knee and left the Bucs after hitting .273 in AA to attend Texas A&M as a football player in 1999. It was a sparse draft for the Pirates; only LHP Jimmy Anderson and last round pick UT Brandon Larsen played in the majors. Farris was quite the big miss; another SS, Nomar Garciaparra, went to the Red Sox in the next pick. 
• 1998 - The Pirates picked LHP Clint Johnston of Vanderbilt first (#15; $1M signing bonus); he ended his career playing indie ball, never advancing past AA. Johnston was an OF’er/closer who the Bucs wanted to convert to full time pitching, noting that he threw 90-94 and that “big strong left handers were hard to find” per scouting director Leland Maddux. But he ended up with elbow surgery and then ulnar nerve issues. Clint eventually went to Toronto and was converted back to the outfield, but never climbed the ladder. In fact, none of the Bucs’ first 14 picks ever played a MLB game. Later pitching picks Joe Beimel, Jeff Bennett, Dave Williams and Jon Switzer were the highlights of that draft day. 

Dewey w/other Bucco Babes - 2005 Fleer Prospects

• 1999 - The Bucs selected RHP Bobby Bradley as their first pick (#8; $2.3M signing bonus) in the draft; he topped out with a cup of coffee in AAA after undergoing three surgeries. They had more success in the second round, choosing C Ryan Doumit. They also chose LHP Brian Tallet in the middle rounds; he didn’t pitch for the Bucs but did end up with nine seasons in the show. Multi-sport all-star JR House was signed in the fifth round. Pittsburgh even went over slot then; they signed 39th round pick Patrick O'Brien, a big high school RHP, for $500‚000, but he never made it past AA.
• 2003 - Lefties Paul Maholm (#8; $2.2M signing bonus) and Tom Gorzelanny (#45; $750K signing bonus) were the first two Pirate picks of the 2003 draft. Later selections Matt Downs, Jeremy Horst and Josh Sharpless also saw time as major league pitchers. Maholm became a rotation mainstay for several years while Gorzelanny was in and out as part of the regular staff.

6/2 Through the 1940’s: Zip Streak; Triple Play; Game Stories; HBD Gene, Rowdy Jack & Tom

• 1866 - C John “Peach Pie”/“Rowdy Jack” O’Connor was born in St. Louis. He served as a rotating backstop for the Bucs from 1900-02, hitting .239 as a Bucco, but could plug in anywhere, spending considerable time in the OF and 1B during his 21-year career. He skipped to the AL’s NY Highlanders after the ‘02 season. He may be best known as the St. Louis Brown manager in 1910 who tried to steer the batting title to Nap Lajoie through a couple of different underhanded ploys, and was blackballed from MLB for his efforts. According to Charles Faber’s “Baseball Prodigies,” Jack became Peach Pie because as a teen, he played for a local semi-pro club called the Peach Pies. The “Rowdy” nickname was thanks to his aggressive, spikes-up style of play. 

Peach Pie - Conlon Collection/Detroit Public Library

• 1869 - C/IF Tom Leahy was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Tom spent four part-time years in the show, starting with a dozen games for the Pirates in 1897, when he hit .269 splitting time between catching and third base. He caught at Holy Cross, but David Nemac, compiler of the book “Major League Ballplayers Profiles 1871-1900,” suggested that because of his just average arm, he may have had more longevity if he came up as a second baseman. His last MLB game was in 1905 after he had gone through five teams, and he then caught on at Yale, serving as their athletic trainer for 32 years. 
• 1890 - The Pittsburgh Alleghenys committed 14 errors in a 14-1 loss to Chicago Colts at home. The Pittsburgh Press wrote of the match that “The people who witnessed the National League game at Recreation Park...left disgusted and many of them promising not to return...Indeed, there are several amateur clubs about the city that may be relied on to play better ball…” That Pittsburgh club finished 28-113, 66-1/2 games behind the NL champion Brooklyn Bridegrooms and 23 games behind the Cleveland Spiders, the team closest to them in the standings. 
• 1903 - The Pirates tossed their first of a MLB record six consecutive shutouts as Deacon Phillippe blanked the New York Giants, 7-0. Per the Pittsburgh Press “Phillippe had speed, curves and control and he made eight of the Husky McGrawites fan the elusive atmosphere...” Hans Wagner had three hits; four other Buccos added a pair. The NL champ Bucs threw 51 straight scoreless innings during the six-game streak, a record that still stands today. The win launched a 15-game winning streak.
• 1938 - IF Gene Michael was born in Kent, Ohio. Signed by the Bucs as an amateur, ”Stick” (he was 6’2” and on the underfed side) played his 1966 rookie campaign in Pittsburgh, hitting a measly .152 in 30 games. The Pirates sent him to the Dodgers as part of the Maury Wills deal after the season and the following year LA sold him to the Yankees, where he spent seven of his 10 MLB seasons, five as NY’s starting shortstop. After his playing days, he coached, managed and was an exec for the Bronx Bombers except for a two-year interlude (1986-87) when he was the Cubs skipper. 

Gene Michael - 1966 East Hills SC promo

• 1943 - Pittsburgh scored three times in the ninth to send the Boston Braves to a 3-2 loss at Forbes Field. A walk, an Elbie Fletcher homer and Al Lopez triple set the stage for Frank Coleman’s flare single to become the game-winner. Wally Hebert pitched seven strong innings, giving up a pair in the second when a pair of bunts were misplayed and a bases loaded free pass resulted in two Brave runs. Xavier Rescigno picked up the win in relief.  
• 1945 - The Pirates hung on to defeat the Phils 6-5 at Forbes Field; the main storyline was that the Bucs turned five DPs while Philly committed five errors. Pittsburgh scored four times in the first - only one run was earned - but quickly fell behind; they took the lead for good in the fourth, scoring twice with two outs thanks to a pair of Philadelphia boots. The bullpens put up zeroes after that, with Max Butcher notching the win and Anton Karl taking the loss. 
• 1948 - The Bucs pulled off the first triple play off the season when 1B Ed Stevens caught a shoe top liner, stepped on first for the second out and tossed to second to trap a third Boston runner at Forbes Field. Alas, it was in vain as the Braves won handily 5-1 behind Johnny Sain’s three-hitter. Ralph Kiner’s homer was the only rain on Sain’s parade.

6/2 From 1950 Through the 1970’s: Willie Double Dipper; Deac's #150; Game Stories; HBD Jeff, Darnell & Chance

• 1955 - The Pirates defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 12-3 at Forbes Field. Dale Long went 3-for-5 and had five RBI with a home run, a two-run shot during a five-run third inning. Frank Thomas also went deep while the Pirates banged out a season high 17 hits. Roberto Clemente also had three knocks while five other Buccos banged out a pair of raps to back Max Surkont. 

Dale Long - 1955 Topps

• 1961 - OF Jeff Schulz was born in Evansville, Indiana. The Pirates picked him up for the 1992 campaign after he had been released by his original club, the KC Royals. He spent most of the year at AA Buffalo with a brief midsummer call up by the Bucs; he went 0-for-3 with two whiffs as a pinch hitter. His last hurrah was in 1995 when he won the right field job at KC as a replacement player, but the strike ended before the season started and so did his MLB career. The then-33-year-old returned to his day job as a real estate agent. Trivia: In 1990, Schulz ended Cal Ripken Jr.'s 95-game errorless streak at shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles when Cal bobbled his grounder. 
• 1962 - Roberto Clemente just missed becoming the first right handed batter to hit a ball on Forbes Field’s right field roof, bouncing a shot off the facing a foot shy of the top. The blast was off Houston’s Turk Farrell during a 9-2 Bucco laugher over the Colt .45s. Roberto had three RBI, Dick Stuart homered, driving home a pair, and Don Hoak scored twice after hitting two triples to support the Deacon, Vern Law. For Pittsburgh, it was their 10th win in 11 games, but after the contest, they entered a tailspin that saw them lose 7-of-8. 
• 1962 - OF Darnell Coles was born in San Bernardino, California. He arrived in Pittsburgh in August, 1987, as part of the Jim Morrison deal with the Tigers and left in late July of the following season, traded to the Seattle Mariners for Glenn Wilson. Darnell played outfield and some corner infield for the Bucs and hit .230 during his stay, with a highlight three-homer day against the Cubs in 1987. He carved out a 14-year MLB career with eight different clubs. Coles played in Japan for a couple of seasons and since has been the hitting coach for the Tigers and Brewers. 
• 1966 - Vern Law tossed a complete game, three-hit shutout over the Mets at Shea Stadium in a 5-0 victory. It was The Deacon’s 150th Pirates win (he would finish his career with 162, sixth-most in franchise history) and he became the last Buc hurler to reach that landmark. The Deac helped himself; he had two hits, including a solo homer, and scored twice. Donn Clendenon also went long. 

Vern Law - 1966 Topps

• 1968 - Willie Stargell homered in both ends of a doubleheader, collecting six hits and driving in six runs in the two contests. He pushed his BA to .300 for the first time in his career and capped a four-game long ball streak. The one-man show wasn’t quite enough as the Pirates split the twinbill with the Atlanta Braves at Forbes Field, winning the opener 8-4 but losing the nightcap 10-5. Matty Alou collected two hits in each game as Ronnie Kline won the opener and Bob Moose dropped the nightcap. 
• 1972 - IF Chance Sanford was born in Houston, Texas. Chance got into 14 games in 1998 and went 4-for-28 (.143) as a 26-year-old rookie. He was a 27th round pick of the Buccos in the 1992 draft and was released after the year; he got into five games with the Dodgers the following season and closed out his career playing indie ball.

6/2 From 1980: Tornado Watch; Walks & Bops; Game Stories; RIP Bruce

• 1987 - Rick Reuschel fired a two-hitter against the Atlanta Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, ending a six game Pirate losing streak. Andy Van Slyke’s homer accounted for two Bucco runs, and he made a great catch in the ninth to help save the 4-0 victory. Rafe Belliard scored twice. It was Reuschel’s ninth straight win over Atlanta. 

Chris Peters - 1998 Pacific On Line

• 1998 - The Pirates beat the Mets 5-2 at TRS behind Chris Peter’s pitching and a bases-loaded triple by Kevin Young for their fourth straight victory, but the big story was that they earned the win in the midst of a tornado. The game was delayed nearly an hour by the gale, but Peters came back after the break in the third frame to work five innings. The Post Gazette noted that a couple of Pirates gathered up hailstones from the dugout before play resumed. The tornado touched down on nearby Mt. Washington and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s banner headline screamed “Torn Asunder.” 
• 2008 - The Bucs beat the Cardinals 5-4 at Busch Stadium. Jason Michaels provided the muscle by blasting a seventh-inning, two-out pinch-hit grand slam on the first pitch he saw from Adam Wainwright. Matt Capps saved the win for Franquelis Osoria. 
• 2011 - Pittsburgh blew a 7-0 advantage to the Mets and lost 9-8 at Citi Field as Paul Maholm couldn’t hold the lead and left with the game tied. Jose Veras then self destructed in the eighth, giving up a hit, four walks and a wild pitch. The Buc wasted a homer and four RBI from Neil Walker and a four-hit day, with a triple, two stolen bases and three runs scored, from Xavier Nady. 
• 2013 - The Reds raced to a 4-0 first inning lead against Jeanmar Gomez and the righty was yanked after the frame with forearm tightness. But the Pirate bullpen put up 10 scoreless frames, allowing just five hits, while Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones homered - Jones became the first Pirate to reach the Allegheny on the fly with his 463’ blast - to send the game into extra innings at PNC Park. The Pirates took it in the 11th on Travis Snider’s soft two-out liner that scored Russ Martin from second for a walk-off 5-4 win. 

Jordy Mercer - 2014 Topps

• 2014 - The Pirates romped at Petco Park, winning 10-3 as the San Diego Padres ran through seven pitchers and 249 pitches during the longest nine-inning game in SD history at 4:04. Of the 53 men Pittsburgh sent to the plate, 26 reached base. They went 9-for-20 with RISP and still stranded 16 men, loading the bases seven different times. San Diego left 11 runners of their own on the pond, and went 1-for-10 with RISP. Jordy Mercer went 4-for-5 with a homer, four RBI and two runs scored, while Josh Harrison and Neil Walker added three hits each. Charlie Morton got the win, but the Pirates had to use three relievers of their own to close out the contest. There were six HBP without a warning being issued and twelve walks combined during the game. It was only the second time during an NL game of the modern (post-1914) era that each team hit three batters in the same game. The other time it happened was Aug. 15th, 2007, when the New York Mets played, natch, the Bucs. 
• 2017 - You wouldn’t expect this kind of game from a Gerrit Cole - Matt Harvey match, but the Bucs and Mets exchanged big innings with the Pirates coming out on top at Citi Field 12-7. The Pirates put up a three spot in the fourth to take the lead on Elias Diaz’s bases-loaded, three-run double. The New York nine answered in the fifth with five runs off Cole to take a 7-4 advantage. The Corsairs then responded with a seven-spot in the sixth off Harvey and reliever Paul Sewald, keyed by Diaz’s three-run homer, his first as a major leaguer, to jump ahead 11-7. Then the storm abated; the only other run to score was on Josh Harrison’s solo shot in the eighth. Josh Bell also went long in the victory, and even with the sketchy start, Cole got the win, making up a bit for some early-season hard-luck losses. Diaz ended up with six RBI, the first six-pack by a Pirates rookie since Andrew McCutchen in 2009. 

Bruce Kison RIP - image Pirates 2018 Memorial Vid

• 2018 - Bruce Kison passed away of cancer at the age of 68. Kison was selected by Pittsburgh in the 14th round of the 1968 amateur draft and made his big league debut on July 4th, 1971. “Buster” was best known for winning Game 4 of the 1971 World Series, the first night game in World Series history, by tossing 6-1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit relief against Baltimore. Kison made more news when he hopped in a helicopter after the Game 7 win at Baltimore to zip home for his wedding, along with best man Bob Moose; a police escort took him from the airport to the church. He was a combative and competitive guy on the mound, once brawling with Mike Schmidt. Bruce spent nine of his 15 MLB years with the Bucs (1971-79; 81-63-6/3.49) and when he retired, he became a minor league pitching instructor for Pittsburgh in 1986, bullpen coach for Kansas City from 1992-93, the Royals pitching coach from 1994-98 and Baltimore's pitching coach in 1999. He then worked as a scout for Baltimore until a few months before his demise.

Brew Crew Bang Five Bombs, Outlast Pirates In 13 Innings 12-10

Nick Kingham didn't get off to much of a start - a single was followed by a triple, then a bouncer that made it 2-0 Brew Crew three batters in. The Bucs managed a two-out rap by Starling but nothing else off Brandon Woodruff. The second went no better with a walk and Orlando Arcia dinger; another walk was left aboard. Eli and Fraze singled with two gone; Nick batted and rolled out. Mike Moustakas hammered a 1-2 curve over the fence to start the third; an infield knock was kept of the scoreboard. Gregory and Starling singled back-to-back with an out, and with two away (a bad relay cost the Brewers a DP and a big inning, as it would turn out), Melky poked one up the middle to plate El Coffee. Redbeard walked to load the sacks, and Eli cleared them when he ripped a slider that hung dead center for a two-bagger to make it 5-4. Fraze was plunked and Bryan Reynolds grabbed a bat; he was walked to load 'em up again before K-Man lined out to right on a ball that looked like trouble but was snagged by Christian Yelich at the wall.

Nick may have seen his last start - Photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates

Rookie Davis got the fourth, and gave up an infield knock to Lorenzo Cain for all the Brewer froth. The Pirates went quietly as Woodruff settled down. Rookie stranded a fifth inning double. The Buccos opened with singles from Melky, Redbeard (on a ball that ticked off a glove) and Eli to tie the game. Junior Guerra was waved in and K'ed Fraze, who saw one strike but still couldn't resist swinging the bat. It got worse before it got better - the runners tried to advance on a ball in the dirt with Jose Osuna hitting, and Eli was nailed at second; the Bucs just gifted Milwaukee two outs. But Joey O provided the better part by banging a two-strike heater off the batter's eye in center to give the Pirates the lead. Clay Holmes took over in the sixth and walked the first hitter. After a K, he walked another and Frankie came in to face Christian Yelich, who smacked a reviewed homer (looked at fan interference) off a 2-2 fastball to regain the lead for Milwaukee. To rub some salt in the wound, Liriano had gotten him to hit a playable foul pop that Redbeard and K-Man let drop the pitch before. The only Bucco response was a Starling single.

Geoff Hartlieb was the seventh inning contestant and walked the second batter, then the third. He survived the wildness to post a zippo. Jeremy Jeffress stepped up to 1-2-3 the Corsairs. Geoff struck out the side in the eighth. Jeffress was tagged for a Tuck two-bagger and infield knock by K-Man, and in came Josh Hader. He fanned Gregory, but his second serve to Starling was sent out of the yard, and it was the Bucco turn as top dog on the seesaw. He struck out the rest of the side and Felipe Vazquez climbed the mound. He bopped Moustakas and paid for it an out later when he tossed a middle-middle fastball to Keston Hiura - it came in at 97 and left the park quicker. The Brewers followed with a double, but The Nightmare kept him at bay. With two away, Fraze got the fans on their feet with a triple off Hader; he had the green light on a 3-0 pitch. Tuck K'ed on three pitches. Kyle Crick got the 10th and bopped Yelich, who stole second and third. A two-out walk left Brew Crew on the corners, but there they stayed. Matt Albers was beckoned. Gregory almost got clubbed one over Cain's head in center, but no luck for him or the Corsairs.

McRae was a strike away - Photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates

Alex McRae took the bump in the 11th. He gave up a leadoff knock, got two whiffs, then threw a wild pitch. A walk was followed by another K to put it to bed. J-Bell walked, was bunted up, and then Colin Moran was walked intentionally. Good plan; Eli bounced into a 4-6-3- DP. The windy weather is more threatening than the batters now as McRae fanned two more in a clean 12th. Adrian Houser came in. Fraze singled; Tuck couldn't bunt him along and fanned instead. It evened out; K-Man walked, and a passed ball moved them up 90'. Gregory was given a free pass. Of course, we know all about Pirates on third with less than two outs...Starling slapped the first ball to third (a knee-high sinker down the middle) for a force at the plate and J-Bell fanned on three pitches; he took the first two. The dam had to break, and with two outs, Milwaukee got a double off a 3-2 fastball and Arcia banged his second homer two pitches later on another heater. Redbeard singled with an out and Eli grounded into another DP to end it.

513 pitches, 32 hits, 14 walks, three hit batters, a wild pitch, a passed ball, 35 whiffs and two big misplays - neither charged as an error - that opened a floodgate for both sides. Closers who couldn't close. The Brewers used six pitchers; four were scored on. The Bucs used eight; five gave up runs. Though the Buccos hit two dingers, that was the difference in the game - the Brewers banged five. It was entertaining game, but in the end just another loss because too many little things were left undone, and the Pirates aren't in a position to be giving away games.

Notes:

• Starling had four hits, Fraze and Eli three (although Diaz's last two at bats ended in GIDPs), and Mlky & Redbeard a pair. Marte has 11 hits in his past five games.
• K-Man has an 11 game hitting streak.
• This was the first blown save of the year by Felipe Vazquez.
• Eli's third inning double broke a string of 18 consecutive singles by the Bucs.
• There were 28,770 tickets sold for today's match. The game lasted five hours and 23 minutes.
• In May, MLB sluggers pounded a record 1,135 dingers, the most ever hit in a month.

The King v Brandon Woodruff, Lineup & Notes

Game: First pitch is at 4:05 and the game will be carried by Fox Sports 1 and 93.7 The Fan. It's Chris Archer bobblehead night and a Heritage Game - the Pirates will wear the unis of the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Brewers will be decked in Milwaukee Bear flannels.

Lineup: Kevin Newman SS, Gregory Polanco RF, Starling Marte CF, Josh Bell 1B, Melky Cabrera LF, Colin Moran 3B, Elias Diaz C, Adam Frazier 2B, Nick Kingham P. Eli got a blow yesterday and Clint is swapping Bryan Reynolds out for Melky. They've been an effective duo; it'll be interesting to see how the skip plays it when Corey Dickerson is back.

Nick on the bump - 2018 Topps Update

Pitchers: RHP Nick Kingham (1-1/8.28) trades tosses against RHP Brandon Woodruff (7-1/3.22). Nick is 0-1/8.63 in three starts and hasn't made it through the fifth inning yet. He was 2-1 in four 2018 outings (three starts) against Milwaukee, but with a 7.80 ERA. The King needs to turn promise into performance, and in a hurry. Today's not an ideal matchup for a guy who's struggling: Woodruff has been pitching lights out in his past six outings, going 5-0/1.42, and he's gone eight innings in his last two visits to the slab w/43 K in 38 IP.  He didn't start against the Pirates in 2018, but did shut them out in his four innings of relief work. And he can help himself, hitting .370 so far this campaign.

Notes:

• Keone Kela's injury is tough to nail down and therefore tough to treat. Buc medico's told Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic that it's just general "wear and tear" and not a "specific thing."
• Alex Stumpf of Bucs Dugout has a piece on J-Bell's Superman month.
• MLB Trade Rumor's Connor Byrne looks at a couple of Bucco trades that he says "...help explain why the Pirates are stuck in neutral."
• 1B/OF Steve Pearce is not only having a dismal year so far at Boston (.180/1 HR) but now is on the IL with a lower back sprain.

6/1 Through the 1930’s: Ump Show; Game Stories; HBD Hal, Lou, Al, Bad Bill & Harry

• 1869 - 2B “Bad Bill” Eagan was born in Camden, New Jersey. Per David Nemec of SABR, “He got the nickname ‘Bad Bill’ the hard way: He earned it through regular, rowdy behavior.” Eagan was like many old-timey players - a heavy drinker, gambler, and general thorn in the side of umpires & management. He was also a ball magnet, even practicing getting hit by pitches in BP by crowding the plate, leading umps to often allow him to get plopped a couple of times before yielding to the inevitable and awarding him a base. Though he was briefly the Bucs starting second baseman and hit .328 in 1898, he was sent down to the minors after a drinking bout. It was a familiar pattern; in his 13-year pro career he wore out his welcome often and only got three years and 107 games in the majors. Bad Bill, after a tumultuous private life, died of consumption in 1905. 

Harry's in there someplace with the 1911 Buccos

• 1887 - RHP Harry Gardner was born in Quincy, Michigan. His MLB career consisted of 14 outings with the Pirates from 1911-12 with a 1-1/4.46 line. Harry did have a long baseball stint, tho, pitching 16 minor league seasons and winning 206 games. He spent his last nine years working in the Pacific Coast League before retiring at age 37 after the 1924 season. 
• 1897 - The Pirates were cruising along with a 7-0 lead in the sixth at the Polo Grounds when the NY Giants put up four runs and were still going when an ump show broke up the game. A Giant runner was tagged on the way to second on a grounder. Umpire McDermott, with whom the Pirates had a run-in with the previous game and had a history of controversy, didn’t make a call. The runner, Lucky Holmes, held second, the ump eventually ruled him safe and according to the Pittsburgh Press “...he (Lucky) laughed uproariously and danced a jig.” The resulting discussion over the call led to the ejection of four players. One of the Pirates bench subs was injured, and that left Pittsburgh one shy of a full nine. McDermott then forfeited the game to the Giants. The Pirates protested to no avail, and the Press headline the following day read “An Immense Steal - Umpire McDermott Robbed The Pirates Of Yesterday’s Game. His Work Was The Worst Exhibition Ever Seen On Any Ballfield.” 
• 1899 - 1B Al Niehaus was born in Cincinnati. He started 15 games for the 1925 Pirates, batting .219, before he was traded to the hometown Reds. Niehaus hit .299 there but replaced by a vet and sold to St. Paul after the season. He was in the minors from 1921-29 and had several .300+ campaigns, but his glovework - he made 11 errors between the Pirates and Reds in 1925 - held him back. The DH arrived a few decades too late to help him along. 
• 1901 - The Bucs lost to the Reds 4-3, following a disputed call by rookie umpire Bert Cunningham, a pitcher whom the Pirates got in an offseason trade and then cut to end his playing career. Cunningham ruled Kitty Bransfield out at first on a questionable bang-bang call, costing the Pirates the tying run and ending the game. 2,000 fans stormed the field at Exposition Park after the decision, suspecting a bit of payback figured in the ump’s call, and Cunningham had to be led to the locker room by Fred Clarke and Honus Wagner to escape mob justice. It made the front page of the Pittsburgh Press which described the scene: “...an angry crowd followed umpire Cunningham and the Cincinnati players and despite the efforts of the Pittsburg players to protect the official and their visitors managed to land a few blows...The disgraceful scene occurred under the very eyes of President NE Young of the National League, who came here yesterday to investigate the reports about the poor umpiring of Nash (Cunningham’s partner in blue) and Cunningham, two recent additions.” 

Lou Tost 1949 Oakland Oaks - Remar Baking

• 1911 - LHP Lou Tost was born in Cumberland, Washington. Lou had tossed for the Braves in 1942 (he also tossed in three games in ‘43 before becoming a sailor) and got a final appearance for the Bucs in 1947, giving up a run on three hits in his last MLB outing. He was another wartime guy who lost 1943-45 to the service; the Bucs purchased him from the Braves Sacramento club in the PCL after the 1946 season. In all, he played pro ball from 1934-49 except for his service years. 
• 1936 - C Hal Smith (not the World Series Smith but his Redbird namesake) was born in Barling, Arkansas. Smith was a Cardinals catcher from 1956-61 before he was forced to retire and enter the coaching ranks with a heart condition. Smith appeared in four games in July 1965 for the Pirates as a player-coach after Jim Pagliaroni, Del Crandall and Ozzie Virgil were injured, catching 12 frames and going 0-for-3 before returning as a member of Harry Walker's staff. He left to join the Milwaukee Brewers after the ‘67 campaign and finished his career as a scout for the Cardinals. 
• 1939 - Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia in the Phillies’ first night game at Shibe Park, 5-2, as Rip Sewell took the W. The Bucs only had seven hits, but eight walks and a beaned batter gave them plenty of runners. Bill Brubaker homered while Paul Waner & Arky Vaughan scored the other four runs from the top of the order.

6/1 From 1950 Through the 1980’s: Veale K's 16; Roberto Eyeballed; Manahan Drafted; Fregosi Kicked Upstairs; Game Stories

• 1954 - Montreal Royals OF’er Roberto Clemente, who the Dodgers had sent to Canada, was nevertheless found out (Roberto was on several radar screens) by Pirate scout Clyde Sukeforth. Sukeforth, ironically, wasn’t even a scout but a Pittsburgh pitching coach on special assignment in Richmond, where the Royals were playing, to check out pitcher Joe Black. Sukeforth strongly recommended that the Bucs take Clemente in the upcoming minor league draft, based more on his pre-game eyeball scouting of Roberto throwing and running than his actual performance, and the rest is history. 

Roberto Clemente - 1955 Topps

• 1960 - Bob Friend gave up a leadoff single to Eddie Kasko, but the Reds would find him hard to hit the rest of the way as the Bucs beat Cincinnati 5-0 at Forbes Field. Friend tossed a three-hitter, walking only one, and none of the Redlegs reached second base. Four Pirates had two hits, with Roberto Clemente driving home a pair of runs and Don Hoak plating twice. 
• 1961 - The Bucs entertained 19,128 Forbes Field faithful by thumping the Milwaukee Braves 8-2. Smoky Burgess with two homers and Dick Groat with another got the crowd on their feet; both had three RBI on the day. Roberto Clemente got them out of the seats with his fielding. He ran down a Joe Adcock shot and taught rookie Joe Torre a lesson in baserunning as described by the Pittsburgh Press beatman Les Biederman: “Torre singled to right...rounded first and Dick Stuart cut off Clemente's throw home and politely tagged out Torre.” Harvey Haddix got the win; he tossed shutout ball after the first inning. 
• 1963 - The Pirates had the best of both worlds, banging out four homers and getting a two-hitter from Bob Friend in a 10-1 runaway against the Mets at the Polo Grounds. The dingers were launched by Bill Virdon, Willie Stargell, Jerry Lynch and Bill Mazeroski. The Bucs collected 16 hits, with four from Donn Clendenon and three each from Lynch and Ducky Schofield. Friend struck out eight in the complete game victory. 
• 1965 - Bob Veale set the Pirate nine-inning strikeout mark when he K'ed 16 Phillies at Forbes Field in a 4-0 victory, even though he sat through two rain delays that added two hours to the game. The big lefty also struck out 16 Reds in 12 innings on September 30th, 1964. Back before the gun, the 6’6” lefty was estimated to throw a heater in the 97-98 MPH range. The five-hitter was the Bucs 12th consecutive win; it came right on the heels of an eight-game losing streak. The Bucs lost the next day but still took eight of the next 10 games. The early hole they dug eventually did them in - although they won 90 games, they finished third behind the Dodgers.  

Bob Veale - 1965 Topps

• 1971 - Dock Ellis tossed a three-hitter as the Bucs bombed the Cardinals 9-0 at TRS. It was a team effort - every Buc had a hit, all but Ellis scored, and six had RBI. Richie Hebner and Dave cash had three hits while Manny Sanguillen and Vic Davalillo added a pair. It was the third straight shutout authored by the Bucs as Steve Blass and Bob Moose zipped the Cubs leading into the series. 
• 1978 - The Pirates released reserve infielder Jim Fregosi at the behest of California Angels’ owner Gene Autry. It was a good faith request - Fregosi, 36, replaced Dave Garcia as Angels manager the next day. 
• 1979 - The Pirates scored four times in the ninth inning to rally past the San Diego Padres 9-8 at TRS. Dave Parker cranked a one-out, three-run homer off John D'Acquisto to tie it, and Lee Lacy drew a bases loaded free pass with two away off Rollie Fingers for the win after Ed Ott had been intentionally walked before him. Phil Garner went 4-for-5 and scored twice. Teke gave up four runs in three innings of work, but it was good enough for the win. After the game, Willie Stargell belted out a tune he thought exemplified the club - “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge - and it caught on, not only among Pirates Nation but the public at large, selling a million copies each of the LP and single after it had sputtered out (although Kim Sledge, who along with her sisters were from Philadelphia, said “The Phillies...should have used our song.”) 

Jim Morrison - 1986 Fleer

• 1986 - Jim Morrison showed the way in a 12-3 win over the LA Dodgers at TRS, hitting a grand slam that he almost lost when when he passed Tony Pena for a heartbeat during his trot around the bases (Tony was standing on first and ready to tag if the big fly was caught, which was his bad, but the umps didn’t see it), a double and triple with seven runs chased home. How often does a guy fall a single short of the cycle? RJ Reynolds also had three knocks and Rick Rhoden went the distance for the win. 
• 1988 - The Pirates drafted prep SS Austin Manahan first in the draft (his bonus wasn’t released; Manahan said in an interview that it was “six figures”); he never made it past AA, and in fact Pittsburgh’s first five picks never made the show. They did hit on a couple of later selections, selecting Tim Wakefield, Randy Tomlin, John Wehner and Blas Minor.

6/1 From 1990: Kendall #1; Seven For Frankie; Morris Dealt; Fish Bait; Game Stories

• 1992 - Prep C Jason Kendall was selected in the first round (#23) of the draft and signed for a $336K bonus in one of Pittsburgh’s more enlightened picks. He spent nine of his 15 MLB seasons with the Pirates, hitting .306 and earning spots on three All-Star teams. After him came a group of reserves - OF’ers Adrian Brown and Trey Beamon, pitcher Marc Wilkins, and infielders Lou Collier and Kevin Polcovich.

Jason Kendall 1992 - Upper Deck Draft Pick

• 1996 - Paul Wagner tossed a one-hitter with ten K for seven innings at TRS, but lost to Colorado 2-0. He couldn’t find the plate in the third; two walks followed by a wild pitch cost him as Dante Bichette hit a ball through the shortstop hole to score the pair. The Bucs had nine hits, but stranded 10 in the whitewash. 
• 1998 - Jason Schmidt won his seventh straight game, 4-3, against the Mets at TRS, breaking a nine-game string of victories by New York. The righty scattered six hits and fanned eight, with ninth inning help from Ricardo Rincon, who earned a save. The Bucs were led at the plate by Tony Womack, who had two hits and a homer; Al Martin and Mark Smith also had a pair of knocks. Schmidt was 8-1/3.59 at this point but would go on to drop his next eight decisions. He wouldn’t win another game until August 12th and finished the season 11-14/4.07. 
• 2005 - Florida lost its ninth straight game at PNC Park‚ 9-1. Rob Mackowiak hit his second career grand slam and Jack Wilson went 4-for-4 to pace the attack behind Josh Fogg and Salomon Torres’ pitching. The last Marlin win in Pittsburgh was September 8th‚ 2002; they snapped the streak the next day by a 6-3 count. 
• 2006 - The Pirates swept the Milwaukee Brewers in a four-game set by scoring twice in the ninth to take a 4-3 decision at PNC Park. With two away, Jose Castillo doubled home Jeromy Burnitz, followed by the game winning knock by Ryan Doumit, both off Derrick Turnbow. The Pirates outscored the Brew Crew 34-8 in the series. 
• 2010 - Pittsburgh fell behind Chicago 2-0 on a two-run, third-inning blast by ex-Pirate Xavier Nady. A homer by Garrett Jones in the next frame halved the lead and in the eighth inning, a blast to left center by Neil Walker off Ted Lilly with Cutch on ahead of him was enough to give Joel Hanrahan a 3-2 win over the Cubs at PNC Park. Octavio Dotel earned the save for his set-up man (and future closer) Hanny thanks to The Pittsburgh Kid’s first MLB homer. 

Frankie 2013 Topps Chrome

• 2013 - Francisco Liriano tied the franchise record by striking out seven consecutive Reds, but Mike Leake won the duel at PNC Park by a 2-0 count. Liriano went six innings, giving up a run on four hits and a walk, punching out 11. Not a ball left the infield in the inning he surrendered the run, and only a disputed two-out call at first allowed Cincy to score at all.
• 2014 - Miami got righty reliever Bryan Morris for a competitive balance selection (#39) that turned into first baseman Connor Joe, who was flipped to the Braves in 2017 for Sean Rodriguez. Morris is now with the Giants while Joe is in the Dodgers system. 
• 2015 - A left coast Bucco fan helped his boys during their 4-3 win over the Giants at AT&T Park. In the eighth, with two gone and the G-Men within a run, a foul ball drifted down the right field stands and was snagged by a fan decked out in a Pirates cap and tee. He leaned over, snagged the ball over a low railing and bumped into Gregory Polanco, who was tracking the fly. After an ump review, Pittsburgh was awarded the third out and the fan was awarded an unceremonious ejection from the park. In the game, the Giants had jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead; the Bucs answered with three in the fifth, capped by Neil Walker’s two-run, two-out double off former and future Pirate Ryan Vogelsong. Chris Stewart collected three hits and Andrew McCutchen had the other pair of RBI. Gerrit Cole took home the win and Mark the Shark Melancon earned the save.